With a dependable automobile, you’ll have total confidence on the road because it will less likely break down. And if you’re searching for a used car with luxury features, you’ll appreciate what the Lexus CT and the Audi A4 have to offer.
What Makes a Car Reliable
As a consumer, there are two ways to gauge a vehicle’s reliability. You could check various reliability reports, or you could read recent reviews by customers. J.D Power publishes trustworthy reliability reports, so turn to this particular customer intelligence company first. Then, you should check other reputable sources. This is the best way to measure how a vehicle’s reliability ranks among other cars from different perspectives.
Safety ratings are a large part of what makes a car reliable, and there are plenty of sources that show how your vehicle of interest fares in different crash tests. Vehicle review sites are great resources, too; the best platforms will have reviews from different decades. If you read these reviews and compare them to different reliability reports, you’ll clearly understand why specific trims are reliable.
The Lexus CT
This edition of the Lexus is one of the top luxury vehicles in its class. It has good safety systems and a superb reliability rating.
Affordability
On average, a used 2016 Lexus CT will range from $19,000 to $29,000. The list price is approximately $23,000. Basically, your price will vary based on the condition of the car, its features, and the mileage.
For a luxury vehicle, the Lexus CT is affordable to own. You’ll spend less than $19,000 on insurance and maintenance, over an estimated five years, as a proud Lexus owner.
The 2016 Lexus CT is one of the most affordable cars in the company’s luxury lineup. There is no 2018 edition of the CT Lexus. However, a similar car was released in 2017, though the 2016 model is more affordable.
Safety
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) deemed the Lexus CT as a top safety pick, which is the organization’s highest honor. It successfully passed all of the institute’s crash tests.
Many active safety systems are available for the Lexus CT, but they’re not standard. If you buy the base model, you’ll only get essential features like a rearview camera, adaptive cruise control, and a forward-collision warning system.
Comfort
The CT has five comfortable seats and upscale leather upholstery. The front seats are fully adjustable, extremely supportive, and firm. The back seats need a better design to accommodate adult passengers.
Durability
Under the hood, the Lexus CT has durable components that perform well on the road. It has one four-cylinder engine and two stable electric engines. Together, these motors can generate up to 134 horsepower when the CT cruises to destinations. However, from time to time, the engines will struggle a bit whenever the CT climbs up a hill.
In terms of prolonged durability, the CT’s custom drive modes play an important role. There is a normal, EV, Eco, and Sport mode. Each setting changes the CT’s performance. These performance adjustments will put less strain on the engines and the transmission.
Utilities
The Lexus CT has many luxurious utilities that you’ll appreciate. The dual-zone automatic climate control system will keep you quite comfortable on a hot day, and the keyless entry system will make you feel like a VIP. The CT also has a moonroof, a push-button ignition, and a powerful audio system.
The infotainment system near the steering wheel has a joystick controller that launches different applications. It’s best to use this controller while the vehicle is parked. Unlike a touchscreen, the process of launching apps with a joystick while driving can be very distracting.
You can sync a smartphone to the CT via the Lexus Enform app on the infotainment system. This particular feature will allow you to unlock the doors remotely. You could also start the engine or check the fuel remotely via the app.
The Audi A4
The Audi A4 has luxury class, style, and speed. Also, it’s very agile on the road, and it has wonderful comfort features in its cabin.
Affordability
A 2013 Audi A4 will cost about $17,000. If you want the most luxurious Audi trim, you’ll probably pay around $26,000 for a classy A4. Like the Lexus CT, the Audi A4’s estimated price will vary based on its condition, mileage, and features.
Safety
In terms of safety, the Audi A4 has earned solid crash test scores. If you shop around, however, you may find other vehicles similar to the A4 that have a slightly better score.
Still, the A4 is a very safe automobile, as it was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also gave the A4 a five-star safety rating.
A base 2013 A4 has an adaptive cruise control system, a rearview camera, and rear parking sensors. The Prestige edition adds more helpful features like a suite of active safety systems and blind-spot monitoring.
Comfort
There are three 2013 Audi A4 trims. The Premium is the base level, the Premium Plus is the mid-level trim, and the Prestige is the top trim. If you care about comfort, opt for the Prestige trim, as it includes leather upholstery, a sunroof, a tri-zone climate control system, and 60/40 split-folding seats.
Durability
According to J.D Power, the Audi A4 is quite reliable, as it earned the organization’s top reliability rating.
The Audi A4 is reliable because it has a tried-and-tested turbocharged engine and a nimble transmission that provides quick and accurate acceleration. The base trim has a very dependable variable automatic transmission, and every Audi A4 with all-wheel drive has a six-speed manual transmission or an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The A4 has superb handling, so it’s easy to control on various terrains. Its weighted steering system is optimized for cornering, and its brakes have great stopping power.
Utilities
Every A4 trim has delightful utilities. However, the Premium trim has the best features. With a base, you’ll get a 10-speaker audio system, SD card slots, and an MMI infotainment system, which is a patented tool by Audi. It’s easy to use because it has a large 6.5-inch display. With a Premium trim, you’ll get all of these features plus Bluetooth, heated front seats, memory settings, and more.
Why You Should Buy a Lexus CT
The Lexus CT is superior in the realm of fuel economy, particularly with the hybrid model. Thanks to its fuel sipping ways, it will consistently save you money at the pump, as your cost per mile will be extremely low if you fill the tank with regular unleaded gasoline.
You’ll also appreciate how the CT hybrid’s engines work together during transitions. You’ll barely notice the cycles as the vehicle switches between engines.
Why You Should Buy an Audi A4
The Audi A4 is speedy and stylish. The Prestige trim is a winner because it takes luxury to the next level. If you’re looking for a classy, safe, and reliable car, this automobile is a great choice.
